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James Walsh's Ratings and Endorsements

Vote Smart displays all known interest group ratings for each candidate and official, regardless of issue or bias.

Keep in mind that ratings done by special interest groups often do not represent a non-partisan stance. In addition, some groups select votes that tend to favor members of one political party over another, rather than choosing votes based solely on issue concerns. Nevertheless, they can be invaluable in showing where an incumbent has stood on a series of votes in the past one or two years, especially when ratings by groups on all sides of an issue are compared. Website links, if available, and descriptions of the organizations offering performance evaluations are accessible by clicking on the name of the group.

With rare exceptions, Vote Smart displays interest group ratings as a 0-100 percentage. While many interest groups use percentages as ratings to begin with, please note that Vote Smart has translated some ratings to a percentage from a different rating system for consistency and ease in understanding. Please visit the group's website, email us at ratings@votesmart.org or call our Voter Information Hotline at 1-888-VOTESMART for more specific information.

83%
2003-2004
91%
2003
79%
2001-2002
85%
1999-2000
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
94%
2001-2002
95%
1999-2000
92%
1999
90%
1997-1998
100%
1997
100%
1996
0%
2001
0%
1999
0%
1995-2003
10%
1995-1998
2%
1993-1996
100%
2001
70%
2005-2006
100%
2000
82%
1999
85%
1995-1996
79%
1993-1994
66%
2007
75%
2001-2002
75%
2001-2002
30%
1991-1992
20%
2003-2004
20%
2003-2004
50%
2001-2002
50%
2001-2002
64%
1999-2000
64%
1999-2000
78%
1998
86%
1997
47%
1996
30%
1995
78%
1994
78%
1993
0%
2007
Fence Sitter
2002
Fence Sitter
2002
22%
2003
67%
2001-2002
33%
2005
45%
2003-2004
40%
2001-2002
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
22%
2003
67%
2001-2002
67%
2001-2002
17%
2000
63%
2005-2006
63%
2005-2006
22%
2003
22%
2003
67%
2001-2002
67%
2001-2002
61%
2008
61%
2008
40%
2008
40%
2008
38%
2008
38%
2008
41%
2008
41%
2008
58.7%
2008
58.7%
2008
45%
2008
45%
2008
54%
2008
54%
2008
56%
2007
56%
2007
59%
2007
59%
2007
66%
2007
66%
2007
45%
2007
45%
2007
34%
2007
34%
2007
55%
2007
55%
2007
41%
2007
41%
2007
44%
2007
44%
2007
56.3%
2006
56.3%
2006
43.7%
2006
43.7%
2006
54%
2006
54%
2006
46%
2006
46%
2006
33%
2006
33%
2006
50%
2006
50%
2006
63%
2006
63%
2006
50%
2006
50%
2006
59%
2005
59%
2005
62%
2005
62%
2005
38%
2005
38%
2005
43%
2005
43%
2005
57%
2005
57%
2005
40%
2005
40%
2005
30%
2005
30%
2005
69%
2005
69%
2005
49%
2004
49%
2004
50%
2004
50%
2004
51%
2004
51%
2004
43%
2004
43%
2004
56%
2004
56%
2004
49%
2004
49%
2004
71%
2003
71%
2003
65%
2003
65%
2003
70%
2003
70%
2003
31%
2003
31%
2003
30%
2003
30%
2003
68%
2003
68%
2003
30%
2003
30%
2003
23%
2003
23%
2003
51%
2002
51%
2002
67%
2002
67%
2002
56%
2002
56%
2002
59%
2002
59%
2002
41%
2002
41%
2002
48%
2002
48%
2002
43%
2002
43%
2002
29%
2002
29%
2002
38%
2001
38%
2001
33%
2001
33%
2001
38%
2001
38%
2001
60%
2001
60%
2001
61%
2001
61%
2001
63%
2001
63%
2001
57%
2000
57%
2000
51%
2000
51%
2000
51%
2000
51%
2000
39%
2000
39%
2000
48%
2000
48%
2000
49%
2000
49%
2000
58%
1999
58%
1999
64%
1999
64%
1999
40%
1999
40%
1999
48%
1999
48%
1999
35%
1999
35%
1999
51%
1999
51%
1999
56%
1998
56%
1998
43%
1998
43%
1998
50%
1998
50%
1998
53%
1998
53%
1998
50%
1998
50%
1998
43%
1998
43%
1998
42%
1996
42%
1996
71%
1996
71%
1996
56%
1996
56%
1996
47%
1996
47%
1996
28%
1996
28%
1996
52%
1996
52%
1996
33%
2003
67%
2007-2008
33
2007
75%
2007
75%
2007
0%
2006
0%
2006
100%
2005-2006
94%
2003
94%
2003
86%
2003-2004
80%
2001-2002
60%
2007
92%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003
8%
2003-2004
8%
2003-2004
0%
2003
0%
2003
27%
2001-2002
27%
2001-2002
27%
1999-2000
27%
1999-2000
42%
1997-1998
42%
1997-1998
27%
1997
27%
1997
19%
1995-1996
19%
1995-1996
25%
1997-1998
0%
2004
56
2007
0%
2006
0%
2005
0%
2004
33%
2003
50%
2006-2012
50%
2006-2012
33%
2003-2004
33%
2003-2004
33%
2001-2002
33%
2001-2002
33%
2001
40%
1999-2000
40%
1999-2000
27%
1999
12%
1997-1998
12%
1997-1998
11%
1995-1996
11%
1995-1996
0%
2007
50%
2007
100%
2007
60%
2007
15%
1991-1992
100%
2007
0%
2001-2002
44%
2007
42%
2005
63%
2005
20%
2005
43%
2004
70
2003
70
2003
70
2003
68
2002
68
2002
68
2002
68%
2001
49%
2000
33%
2005-2006
33%
2005-2006
90%
1995-1996
90%
1995-1996
83%
2003-2004
91%
2003
79%
2001-2002
85%
1999-2000
93%
2004
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003
76%
2001-2002
79%
2000
50%
1997-1998
75%
1995-1996
0%
2001-2002
0%
2007-2008
43%
2005-2006
72%
1998-2002
89%
1997
85%
1996
25%
2005
36%
2003-2004
11%
2001-2002
29%
1999-2000
8%
2006
8%
2006
25%
2005
25%
2005
20%
2004
20%
2004
22%
2003
22%
2003
0%
2002
0%
2002
0%
2001
0%
2001
10%
2000
10%
2000
27%
1999
27%
1999
50%
1998
50%
1998
17%
1997
17%
1997
0%
1996
0%
1996
0%
1995
0%
1995
17%
2007
45%
2007
0%
2006
83%
2003-2004
91%
2003
79%
2001-2002
85%
1999-2000
20%
2000
33%
1999
21%
1998
70%
1997
45%
1996
45%
1995
56
2007
0%
2006
0%
2005
0%
2004
33%
2003
50%
2002
67%
2007
0%
2005-2006
33%
2004
0%
2003
50%
2001-2002
50%
2001-2002
46%
1989-1990
8%
2003-2004
8%
2003-2004
0%
2003
0%
2003
27%
2001-2002
27%
2001-2002
27%
1999-2000
27%
1999-2000
42%
1997-1998
42%
1997-1998
27%
1997
27%
1997
19%
1995-1996
19%
1995-1996
90%
1995-1996
90%
1995-1996
10%
2003-2004
10%
2003-2004
13%
2003
75%
1999-2000
75%
1999-2000
33
2007
33%
2005
45%
2003-2004
40%
2001-2002
66%
2007
0%
2004
75
2006
75
2006
37
2005
37
2005
54%
2008
50%
2006-2012
50%
2006-2012
45%
2007
58%
2006
22%
2005
32%
2003-2004
30%
2003
50%
2001-2002
37%
1999-2000
31%
1999
52%
1998
38%
1997
19%
1995-1996
100%
2007
100%
2003
0%
2002
83%
2003-2004
91%
2003
79%
2001-2002
85%
1999-2000
92%
2004
92%
2003
83%
2002
73%
1999-2000
73%
1997-1998
78%
1997
80%
1995-1996
57%
2006
57%
2006
73%
2005
73%
2005
61%
2004
61%
2004
77%
2003
77%
2003
73%
2002
73%
2002
45%
2007
0%
2006
7%
2007
7%
2007
43%
2005-2006
65%
2003-2004
75%
2001-2002
48%
1999-2000
53%
1997-1998
85%
1995-1996
44%
2006
51%
2005
49%
2004
60%
2003
49%
2002
58%
2001
46%
1999
30%
1998
41%
1997
78%
1995
56%
2005-2006
56%
2005-2006
44%
2007
42%
2005
20%
2005
63%
2005
43%
2004
70
2003
70
2003
70
2003
68
2002
68
2002
68
2002
68%
2001
49%
2000
0%
2003-2004
0%
2003-2004
0%
2001-2002
0%
2001-2002
55%
2001-2002
55%
2001-2002
0%
1999-2000
0%
1999-2000
67%
1999-2000
67%
1999-2000
0%
1997-1998
0%
1997-1998
0%
2007
30%
2006
40%
1995
30%
1995
13%
2005-2006
13%
2005-2006
0%
2001-2002
33%
2007-2008
16%
2005-2006
16%
2005-2006
77%
2005-2006
77%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
88%
2001-2002
-2
2001-2002
67%
2007
0%
2005-2006
33%
2004
0%
2003
50%
2001-2002
50%
2001-2002
0%
2004
25%
2005
36%
2003-2004
11%
2001-2002
29%
1999-2000
0%
2005
50%
2006-2012
50%
2006-2012
33%
2005-2006
50%
2003-2004
33%
2001-2002
50%
2000
33%
1999
8%
2006
8%
2006
25%
2005
25%
2005
20%
2004
20%
2004
22%
2003
22%
2003
0%
2002
0%
2002
0%
2001
0%
2001
10%
2000
10%
2000
27%
1999
27%
1999
50%
1998
50%
1998
17%
1997
17%
1997
0%
1996
0%
1996
0%
1995
0%
1995
100%
2003
67%
2001-2002
67%
2001-2002
50%
2000
0%
1999
100%
1998
75%
1997
33%
1996
44%
2006
51%
2005
49%
2004
60%
2003
49%
2002
58%
2001
46%
1999
30%
1998
41%
1997
78%
1995
25%
2004
15%
2003
17%
2002
27%
2001
21%
2000
19
1999
21%
1998
17%
1997
0%
2007
30%
2006
60%
2001
60%
2001
36%
1997-1998
36%
1997-1998
20%
1995-1996
20%
1995-1996
0%
2007
100%
2007
67%
2005-2006
0%
2005-2006
100%
2003
40%
2007
75%
2004
100
2007
25%
2003
0%
2006
67%
2007
0%
2005-2006
33%
2004
0%
2003
50%
2001-2002
50%
2001-2002
100%
2007
100%
2007
0%
2006
0%
2006
0%
2001
0%
2001
28%
2001-2002
60%
2000
9%
1999
54%
1997-1998
30%
1995-1996
50%
2005-2008
50%
2005-2008
46%
2005-2006
46%
2005-2006
48%
2003-2006
48%
2003-2006
31%
2003-2005
31%
2003-2005
17%
2003
17%
2003
18%
2002
18%
2002
17%
2001
17%
2001
0%
2005-2006
33%
2005
33%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2004
40%
2003-2004
57%
1997-1998
B
2007-2008
B
2007-2008
20%
2003-2004
20%
2003-2004
50%
2001-2002
50%
2001-2002
64%
1999-2000
64%
1999-2000
78%
1998
86%
1997
47%
1996
30%
1995
78%
1994
78%
1993
62%
1989-1990
36%
2007
33%
2003-2004
33%
2003-2004
33%
2001-2002
33%
2001-2002
33%
2001
40%
1999-2000
40%
1999-2000
27%
1999
12%
1997-1998
12%
1997-1998
11%
1995-1996
11%
1995-1996
22%
2003
67%
2001-2002
40%
2006
0%
2005
9%
2003-2004
18%
2001
70%
2000
66%
1999
63%
1998
56%
1997
29%
1996
33%
2001
100%
2007
77%
2005-2006
77%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
72%
1998-2002
89%
1997
85%
1996
25%
2005
36%
2003-2004
11%
2001-2002
29%
1999-2000
8%
2006
8%
2006
25%
2005
25%
2005
20%
2004
20%
2004
22%
2003
22%
2003
0%
2002
0%
2002
0%
2001
0%
2001
10%
2000
10%
2000
27%
1999
27%
1999
50%
1998
50%
1998
17%
1997
17%
1997
0%
1996
0%
1996
0%
1995
0%
1995
75
2006
75
2006
37
2005
37
2005
45%
2007
58%
2006
22%
2005
32%
2003-2004
30%
2003
50%
2001-2002
37%
1999-2000
31%
1999
52%
1998
38%
1997
19%
1995-1996
100%
2003
-2
2001-2002
100%
2003
67%
2001-2002
67%
2001-2002
50%
2000
0%
1999
100%
1998
75%
1997
33%
1996
100%
2003
93%
2004
92%
2004
92%
2003
83%
2002
73%
1999-2000
73%
1997-1998
78%
1997
80%
1995-1996
100%
1991-1992
100%
1991-1992
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003
76%
2001-2002
79%
2000
50%
1997-1998
75%
1995-1996
0%
2005
0
2005
16%
2005-2006
16%
2005-2006
40%
2007
18%
2006
0%
2005
13%
2004
40%
2004
38%
2003
42%
2002
50%
2001
46%
2000
45%
1999
21%
1998
33%
1997
42%
1995-1996
42%
1995-1996
90%
1995-1996
90%
1995-1996
50%
2003
50%
2003
0%
2006
33%
2003-2004
33%
2003-2004
33%
2001-2002
33%
2001-2002
33%
2001
40%
1999-2000
40%
1999-2000
27%
1999
12%
1997-1998
12%
1997-1998
11%
1995-1996
11%
1995-1996
15%
1991-1992
33%
2001
100%
2007
56
2007
0%
2006
0%
2005
0%
2004
33%
2003
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003
100%
2003
93%
2005-2006
83%
2003-2004
83%
2003-2004
91%
2003
91%
2003
79%
2001-2002
79%
2001-2002
85%
1999-2000
85%
1999-2000
80%
2007-2008
92%
2004
92%
2004
92%
2003
92%
2003
83%
2002
83%
2002
73%
1999-2000
73%
1999-2000
73%
1997-1998
73%
1997-1998
78%
1997
78%
1997
80%
1995-1996
80%
1995-1996
100%
1991-1992
100%
1991-1992
0%
2008
0%
2008
7%
2007
7%
2007
7%
2007
7%
2007
56%
2005-2006
56%
2005-2006
44%
2007
54%
2007
54%
2007
63%
2005
42%
2005
42%
2005
20%
2005
20%
2005
63%
2005
43%
2004
43%
2004
70
2003
70
2003
70
2003
70
2003
70
2003
70
2003
68
2002
68
2002
68
2002
68
2002
68
2002
68
2002
68%
2001
68%
2001
49%
2000
49%
2000
33%
2007-2008
33%
2007-2008
40%
2007
40%
2007
18%
2006
18%
2006
0%
2005
0%
2005
13%
2004
40%
2004
13%
2004
40%
2004
38%
2003
38%
2003
42%
2002
42%
2002
50%
2001
50%
2001
46%
2000
46%
2000
45%
1999
45%
1999
21%
1998
21%
1998
33%
1997
33%
1997
42%
1995-1996
42%
1995-1996
42%
1995-1996
42%
1995-1996
33%
2005-2006
15%
2005-2006
15%
2005-2006
15%
2005-2006
15%
2005-2006
13%
2005-2006
13%
2005-2006
0%
2001-2002
33%
2007-2008
90%
1995-1996
90%
1995-1996
68%
2006
92%
2005
85%
2004
85%
2003
75%
2002
90%
2001
70%
2000
50%
1999
55%
1998
0%
2005-2006
47%
2007
47%
2007
25%
2006
25%
2006
59%
2005
59%
2005
55%
2003-2004
55%
2003-2004
75%
2001-2002
75%
2001-2002
43%
2005-2006
65%
2003-2004
75%
2001-2002
48%
1999-2000
53%
1997-1998
85%
1995-1996
44%
2006
51%
2005
49%
2004
60%
2003
49%
2002
58%
2001
46%
1999
30%
1998
41%
1997
78%
1995
0%
2007
30%
2006
47%
2006
47%
2006
75%
2007
75%
2007
66%
2007
50%
2002
33%
2005-2006
50%
2003-2004
33%
2001-2002
50%
2000
33%
1999
8%
2003-2004
8%
2003-2004
0%
2003
0%
2003
27%
2001-2002
27%
2001-2002
27%
1999-2000
27%
1999-2000
42%
1997-1998
42%
1997-1998
27%
1997
27%
1997
19%
1995-1996
19%
1995-1996
40%
2001-2002
40%
2001-2002
0%
2007
66%
2007-2008
0%
2002
22%
2006
100%
2003
67%
2001-2002
67%
2001-2002
50%
2000
0%
1999
100%
1998
75%
1997
33%
1996
16%
2005-2006
16%
2005-2006
B
2007
33%
2003-2004
50%
2003
66%
2007-2008
20%
2003
38%
2003-2004
77%
2001
17%
1997-1998
40%
1989-1990
54%
2003-2004
43%
2003
9%
2001-2002
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003
76%
2001-2002
79%
2000
50%
1997-1998
75%
1995-1996
arrow_upward